By Luis Sandoval

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - Welterweights Marcos “Chino” Maidana (32-3, 29KOs) and Jesus Soto Karass (26-8-3, 17KOs) wasted no time and went to war from the get go and put on a thrilling affair. Both fighters traded heavily and took turns landing hard flush shots as the crowd roared with each one. Maidana used his jab when he had to setting up some of his offense as he controlled the fight early on as it was Karass who was absorbing the punishment.

 

The tide however seemed to change around the 6th round as Maidana began to look a bit tired, and as it was Karass who was now applying pressure and backing the shorter Maidana up. In the 7th round, Maidana had a point deducted for hitting on the break one too many times. Seemingly in a hole, Maidana worked behind his jab and landed a monster right hand that dropped Karass. Karass would beat the count but in round 8, Maidana would once again pour it on by landing more thunderous right hands that had Karass hurt on the ropes and referee Kenny Bayless stepped in and put a halt to the fight. Great action from start to finish.